Make sure you have enough money saved to live comfortably until you find work – the average cost of living in LA is 50% then the rest of the country. [1] X Research source
Your headshot should show off your brand, or how you want the industry to see you. Think about 3 words that describe you, like “upbeat, funny, and sporty,” or “intelligent, quirky, and caring. " Then, try to embody that through your wardrobe, expression, and pose. [2] X Expert Source Martin BentsenActing Coach & Headshot Photographer Expert Interview. 8 May 2020.
Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, Megan Fox, and more famous actors all started out as extras and worked their way up from there. [3] X Research source Any chance you get to be on a professional film set will help you make contacts that could lead to your next role.
The more roles you take, no matter how small or weird, the more connections you will make with actors, directors, casting professionals, and agents.
Membership costs roughly $200 a year SAG members receive health benefits, acting workshops, online casting databases, and support when reading and signing contracts.
Check online casting databases, like Backstage. com and SAGAFTRA. org, to get up-to-date casting information. Ask your agent, if you have one, to find auditions or parts for you. Always prepare for an audition by cleaning up, reading the part, and practicing your monologue or speech beforehand.
Try to use SAG/AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) approved agents, as they have been vetted by the industry and have proven connections. To find agents, search online for “acting agencies,” buy a “Call Sheet” book, which is a print collection of agents, or ask Hollywood friends if they can put in a good word for you. Apply to 10-15 agencies at a time, as they are often busy and may not even read your submission. Many will only accept actors who have already worked a few small gigs. [5] X Research source
Commercials are an enormous market for actors and usually only require one day of work.
Ian McKellan, Alec Baldwin, and Sarah Jessica Parker all began their careers in theater. [6] X Research source Stand-up comedians from David Cross to Amy Schumer spent years performing stand up before they broke into television.
Many cities have night classes in film at local art schools if you have already graduated. Film school can be expensive, but you’ll learn a lot about how to create films, and it’s a great way to make connections in the industry. [7] X Expert Source Martin BentsenActing Coach & Headshot Photographer Expert Interview. 8 May 2020.
Production Assistant (PA): The PA does whatever the movie needs, from picking up actors or food to checking the script and rolling up cords. This is oftentimes the first job a burgeoning filmmaker takes because they get to work with many different film departments and meet many people, but it is thankless work. [8] X Research source Grip: Holds boom microphones and sometimes cameras. This is a great job for someone interested in the audio side of Hollywood, but it is physically taxing to hold up equipment all day. Script Supervisor: Reads the script while filming to make sure there are no mistakes. Though this is not always considered an entry-level position, smaller studios will often hire a new person if they have experience in editing or writing. [9] X Research source
Most major studios, like Lionsgate, Universal, NBC, and FX offer yearly internship programs on their websites. If you love the movies or TV a certain studio produces, check out “Employment” or “Jobs” on their website. Search Craiglist, InternMatch. com, and EntertainmentJobs. com for internships across Hollywood.
You must prove you can do the basic jobs on a film set before you are trusted with the creative jobs.
Post your videos on Youtube, Vimeo, and Reddit to grab viewers online. Submit your movie to film festivals, like Austin Film Fest or Sundance, where film professionals might see it and ask for more work. This is how several famous writers/directors, like the Duplass brothers (Jeff Who Lives at Home, The League,) got started. [11] X Research source
Keep it short – you should grab their interest in the first 30 seconds. Tailor your reel to your job – if you are applying for a job editing, focus on scenes that cut between multiple angles, if you are focusing on sound design then focus on scenes that showcase how you mix music, dialogue, and sound effects seamlessly. Try to show a variety of work – if you can show 2-4 different projects successfully you prove that you can work on a variety of films. [12] X Research source
Work as many gigs as you can to gain experience and make new contacts. Always be respectful and helpful on set – you never know who might get a promotion and need your help later in life.
The type should be in 12pt Courier font. Always attach a title page to the front with your name and contact information in the bottom left corner.
Perform an internet search for “Title + Screenplay PDF. ” While not every screenplay is online, a large number of them have been posted on various websites. Reading screenplays is a great way to learn formatting as well – if you see a scene a movie you like and don’t know how to format, like a montage or transition, read the screenplay to see how it is written out.
Try to write 3-4 pieces in the same genre (horror, comedy, drama, etc. ) since most studios specialize in one type of film. If your first screenplay gets noticed, you then have 2-3 extra scripts the same studio might want.
’’Inside Man:’’ A cop has to talk down a bank robber after the criminal’s perfect heist spirals into a hostage situation. ’’The Shawshank Redemption:’’ Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency. ’’Forest Gump:’’ Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny, eludes him.
Most contests cost between $35 - $100 to apply to, but they are cheaper the earlier you submit. Read reviews of contests before submitting to them to see if they are worth your money. Sites like MovieBytes. com offer reader reviews of each contest offered.
Apply to writer’s assistant jobs on television and film studio websites, under “Employment. ” Websites like Internmatch, EntertainmentJobs. com, and Craigslist often list posts for writing assistants.
However, when your chance arises to talk about your writing—take it!
